About

Founding of the EFLI

The EFLI was founded in mid-2011 and publicly announced on August 5, 2011. The aim of the league is to introduce American football to the Indian market and its large consumer base. The organization's management team consists of both American and Indian business and entertainment executives as well as several American sports figures. American brand marketing consultant Sunday Zeller is noted as the main founder.

Prominent investors include former Green Bay Packers linebacker Brandon Chillar, Super Bowl-winning head coach Mike Ditka, former Dallas Cowboys wide receiver Michael Irvin and former NFL quarterbacks Ron Jaworski and Kurt Warner. Both Ditka and Irvin are in the Pro Football Hall of Fame, and Chillar is of Indian descent. Investors outside of the sports community include American actor and entertainment producer Mark Wahlberg.

The EFLI will not be the first attempt to establish a professional American football league outside of the USA. NFL Europe was established in 1991, although NFL Europe eventually folded. Officials from the NFL have also expressed the possibility of starting a franchise in the United Kingdom, citing the popularity of the NFL's periodic exhibition games in London. Additionally, American football leagues exist throughout Europe, South Korea, Japan, Israel, New Zealand, and many other countries. Cricket enjoys dominating popularity in the country, but the domestic Indian Premier League and the proposed EFLI seasons do not overlap; IPL matches generally begin in April, and EFLI games are slated to commence in November and end in February.

The first regular season games are scheduled to begin in September 2012. Games will be broadcasted on television in India and Sri Lanka, as well as in the Maldives, Bangladesh, Nepal, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Japan, and Pakistan on Ten Sports. This will represent a potential audience of over 500 million viewers

Professional Football Concept [2009]

The concept of Professional Football within India was brought to fruition with an initial investment of $25K. The concept was to develop a league with Indian athletes whom were already familiar with contact sports such as Rugby and kabbadi.

Training Rating - Fundamentals - EFLI [2011]

The first EFLI Coaches & Players Training Program was held at the Balewadi Sports Complex in Pune, November 10, 2011 headed by NFL Superstar Doug Plank.

1ST Football Scrimmage - EFLI [2012]

On March 29th, 2012, the EFLI held the first full scale, uniformed football scrimmage ever in the country of India. The scrimmage was a was filmed by an 8 camera crew and was directed and edited by the award-winning SuperBowl director-the late Sandy Grossman. The scrimage was a “dress-rehursal” for the historic upcoming “EFLI Season One”.

University Football - EFLI-U [2013]

University Tackle Football was recognized as an official University sport for the first time in history.

SHAREHOLDERS AND ADVISORS

Kurt Warner
Shareholder

NATIONALITY USA

NFL Network football analyst.
Former NFL quarterback that led the St. Louis Rams to a victory in Super Bowl XXXIV in 1999. In that same year, Kurt was named the NFL and Super Bowl Most Valuable Player. Received Pro Bowl honors for 3 consecutive years (1999-2001)

Mark Wahlberg
Shareholder

NATIONALITY USA

One of the leading actors in Hollywood with a robust slate of films and television shows in theatres/on air or in production. Provides strategic value as he works with us for promotional and brand integration opportunities. He has significant authority and influence in sports, health and fitness world.

Satnam Singh
Shareholder

NATIONALITY INDIA

Satnam is the NBA's first Indian-born athlete selected in the draft by Mark Cuban's Dallas Mavericks. Satnam Singh has announced his alliance with the UBAU and EUSAI to aid and enhance the advancement and infiltration of basketball throughout India.

Mike Ditka
Shareholder

NATIONALITY USA

Mike Ditka is an NFL Pro Football Hall of Fame player and Super Bowl-winning coach. He joined ESPN is an NFL analyst in 2004. He has a combined 26 years of playing (12) and head coaching (14) experience. Ditka is an analyst on Sunday NFL Countdown & makes regular appearances on ESPN Radio.